M 'VlW. FoKKST 1-*U()])ITTS TvAlJOKATOU V 



The Kailroad .\(liniiil.stratioii experienced endless trouble in the 

 construction of wooden cars, lamelv due to seasonino- difficulties 

 caused l)y the shortage of dry car stock. An extensive field study was 

 made and the exact causes of the trouble determined. xV report out- 

 lining the proper remedies was prepared and submitted to the Rail- 

 road xVdniinistration. In various other Avays the la})orator_v worked 

 with the Kailroad Administration to solve miscellaneous problems. 

 The results of mucli of this work aj^pear in the form of specifications 

 issued by the Administration. 



FuriJu'riiuj the Chcmicdl Warjarc Campaign 



The chemical warfare work for the army Mas first got imder way 

 by tlie Bureau of Mines and later taken over by the Chemical AVarfare 

 wService wlien this Service was organized. Specific problems were 

 assigned to various laboratories throughout the country and several 

 having to do with forest ])roducts were taken over by tlie Forest Prod- 

 ucts Ijaboratory, 



One of the most urgent needs was for a higldy absorbent charcoal 

 for use in gas masks for protection against chlorine. Ordinary char- 

 coals M'ere soon found useless for this piu'])ose and experiments were 

 started to evolve a suital)le coal. This residted in the preparation of 

 a beecli-wood charcoal which met tlie re([uirements. A similar mate- 

 rial had been developed at the same time by the chemists of a large 

 commercial carbon-producing firm. The mamifacture of this charcoal 

 was immediately undertaken at a distillation plant under the super- 

 vision of a laboratory chemist, only seven days being required to make 

 the needed alterations in the ])lant. Later on it became desirable, due 

 to a shortage of raw material to find a substitute for the ^ery dense 

 charcoal made from cocoanut shells. This charcoal was capable of 

 absorbing a number of gases against which the beech-wood charcoal 

 offered but slight protection. A method of activating charcoal, simi- 

 lar to a secret process used by the Bureau of Mines. Mas first devel- 

 oped, so that activating and absorption tests could be made at the 

 laboratory. folloM'ing M'hich a series of artificially dense charcoals, 

 made from tlie hydrolized M'ood saM-dust Mhich is a M^aste ])roduct in 

 tlie manufacture of ethyl alcohol from M'oocf. M'cre develo])ed. The 

 best of this series M'cre almost perfect substitutes for cocoanut shell 



